I am supportive of movies that encourage positive values and  so I was happy to review Saving God which explores gang issues and Christian themes. Out of a 10 I give that film an overall rating of 5. I think the quality of the production and look of the film as well as the strength of some of the actors anchor this film. The issues, such as drugs and gangs, are a compelling backdrop to a con-turned-preacher in Rev. Armstrong.

Where the movie leaves a bit to be desired is what I see common in Christian film–too much is answered for the viewer. The dialog in this way at times appears less about telling a story and more about preaching to the audience. With Rev. Armstrong’s stinging words to a TV preacher “ministry is not an opportunity its an obligation” we are hearing something obviously preachy. Also, characters seem to make huge jumps with little struggle and in a couple cases do things that make little sense.

The basic idea of this film is strong enough to not have to fill in all the blanks. I would have been drawn in more deeply with more about Rev. Armstrong’s past, for instance. What this film shows is that Christian films are improving, however. If the story telling improves as well as the production there is no stopping these guys. (The official movie website).

The rules of this particular meme are: 1. List your top
ten favorite films (in no particular order). 2. If you are tagged, you
have to post and tag 3-5 people. 3. Link back to the one who tagged
you. 4. Tip the hat to Dan.

These movies are not in any special order:

1. Amadeus–There
   is just something about the story of Mozart, my student musician days
   and this wonderful film that offer a unique convergence.
2. Star Wars (Episode IV)–I
   was a kid and got to see this film as a field trip.  Imagine that?  My
   imagination is still captivated and the power of the mythology is still
   relevant today in the story telling strength of this film.
3. Raiders of the Lost Ark–I just love most of Spielberg’s list of films, but this one makes me laugh and I love cliff hangers.
4. Tucker: The Man and His Dreams–This
   film by Coppola and Lucas is not really just about the car, but about
   the idealist and his desire to do something that would help everyone
   only to be crushed by the bureaucracy of the U.S. government and
   business.
5. The Chronicles of Narnia:The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe–This film is an amazing retelling of the book by C.S. Lewis.
6. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation–I have to put one of my favorite holiday flicks here, too.
7. The Terminator–My the girlfriend, now wife, took me to see this.  I love this cheesy and timely scifi-action motion picture.
8. Master And Commander–The
   story telling in this film and the lessons in leadership that offers
   make this film a special one for me.  Of course, most boys dreamed of
   running their own ship and sword fights.
9. The Apostle–Robert
   Duvall did an amazing job capturing Pentecostal Christians and this
   film offers a peek into the torture of what it might be like to be
   called and flawed as a minister.  I think this can relate to all of us,
   especially if you were raised a Christian.
10. Hoosiers–I love
    the series of feel-good underdog flicks.  This one I might play when I
    need a pick me up and a few locker room sermons to get me going.  You
    gotta love Gene Hackman, too.

Alright, so I will have to TAG at least 3 others to play by the rules–four it is. Matt Singley, Chris Vacher and Victor Estrada, and Rick Scheibner.

The Myriad’s new video for the song "You Waste Time Like a Grandfather’s Clock" has just been finished.  It was directed by Jesse Rosten and shot at The Cascade Theater in Redding, CA.  The Cascade brings back some memories as does this screen shot of my bro Randy Miller on the drums.  You guys are amazing…can’t wait for the new CD!

I took my son and wife to see Transformers and it was such a fun ride.  My son Ethan, who is 9, was at the edge of his seat for the entire 144 minutes!  And, the boy in me was satisfied with heroic plot lines and explosions and fights and car chases.

Any of you see this yet?

HT:  The Hosh

The movie 300 is truly a powerful film.  I got to see it on opening night with friends in a packed house.  If you cannot stomach violence, don’t see it.  There’s lots of skin with chiseled warriors dismembering and slashing in most scenes.   However, the visual effects used in the story-telling were stunning, even though I think a couple of the scenes were obscene to say the least.  The full history behind the film is equally interesting as the film.  Apparently, according to a History Channel special entitled The Last Stand of the 300, the navy of Greece was what really saved the day.  This was indeed hinted in the film, at least.  Here is post from Ethos blog on this film:  A History Lesson?

"Taken" was created for the 48 Hour Film Project in Nashville, TN by Radiate Films… (Randy Elrod’s daughter Paige and her very talented husband, Ben).

Radiate had an amazing team of 15 crew and cast that gave up sleeping and eating for 48 hours.

To keep the teams honest, genre, a line of Dialogue, a prop, and a character were given at the start of the 48 hours.

• Genre: Romance – *Line of Dialogue: Go ahead, walk all over me!
• *Prop:a wagon – *Character: Fred Maloney, Kleptomaniac.

  *Were the same for all films. Watch the entire six minute movie HERE NOW. (You must have Quicktime-if you don’t have it-you can download it at the "Taken" site above.)

HT:  Ethos "Taken" In Its Entirety…

HT:  Another Storm via Slashdot

I love Barbara’s wit and perspective on things.  We too often in the Christian realm either fight everything, especially post-modernism and all that.  Or, we watch vulgar films like the one mentioned in the name of engaging the culture.  A choice quote from her post:

I feel absolutely sure that a legion of critics – and
certainly Christians! – will passionately defend this film. They will
relish its "fresh satiric critique " of post-modernity. They will say
things about how wonderful it was for the family to end the film
accepting each other in a stirring moment of loyalty and love. They
will say that this movie is clearly just not my kind of taste, and that
engaging culture means that we shouldn’t get stuck on little things
like vulgarity, profanity, crassness and the exaltation of
meaninglessness.

I appreciate her perspective.
Unfortunately, I may wait for the DVD and actually watch it so I can
understand more of what she is actually saying here.  Maybe.